Should You Read House Of Leaves? | Violet Prynne

[@JVF5793]

Reading this book was such a different experience. I definitely think it is a love story, and worth the effort. You nailed it in your review!

[@violetprynne]

Awe! Thank you so much! :D

[@kaitlyng.473]

I’m so glad to see you talk about this book! I’ve had it on my shelf for almost a year, but I’ve been so overwhelmed at the thought of starting it because of the format.

[@violetprynne]

I love this book so much. The format I think forces you to really take your time with it, but it also makes the book really fun to get through, too.

[@opheliasgrace]

I love how crazy this book is formatted. It was hard to read and keep up with but it's so cool.

[@violetprynne]

Yeah, I always wonder how Danielewski created it. Like that formatting and style must have taken him forever to put to page.

[@lano3042]

​@@violetprynnei heard it took 10 years for him to write it

[@BogeyCDogRosey]

I read this in 2002 somewhere in there. It is frightening in places, very frightening even, but it never struck me as a “horror” book. At least not as a supernatural horror book. The house, the Navidsons, the film, none of it is real. The horror is this is all inside Johnny Truant’s head, and unlike the movie, no one is going to save him from the five and a half minute hallway his mom walked down; namely being a schizophrenic. He wants to be saved. He knows it’s not real. And the most he can concoct is a nightmare world in which at someone gets saved who enters the labyrinth. It’s just not him who was saved.

[@richardwilliams5387]

Danielewski has a great bibliography, he unfortunately flies under the public's radar. His sister, who's a singer under the name Poe had an album that released at about the same time and has a lot of the same themes and uses some of the phrases from the novel. (Five and a half minute hallway, etc.)

[@qobiotacain7734]

Unfortunately, Poe flies under the public's radar too much as well.

[@robertocatrone715]

I love your style of book review. Brilliant.

[@violetprynne]

Thank you so much!

[@jimfaust6342]

It's the most unique book Ive ever seen in format. It's so freaking cool imo. I just got it today. I can't wait to read it.

[@violetprynne]

I hope you enjoy it!

[@dhelms6895]

Couldn't put it better myself. Didn't find it scary but fascinating. The house is god and didn't want to be alone, but didn't understand what that means and humans reap the consequences.

[@kevindobson3701]

I so love House of Leaves ! My fav books of all time !

[@mindysbookjourney]

I was completely sucked into this book as well. I loved the structure and journey that the book takes you on.

[@violetprynne]

It's such a strange and unique experience! So glad you loved it, too!

[@hussainbedair7676]

the answer is yes. if you're on the fence, just do it. just read it. it's amazing

[@t5styles333]

I agree with much of what you said. It's lofty at times and there is some absurd things regarding pretension and academic writing. Sticking to the two stories, it does open us up. A novel should make us empathize for something we won't be able to experience ourselves. I also think a novel parable for understanding trauma is truly artistic, and finally to mention the savvy medium presentation. I find the book its self less interesting these days, mostly for its crass Chadness, but talking about the book is still great. Always fun to hear some new fan theory too.

[@paulmerlino1864]

What a terrific book! Your comments are spot on! Thanks for a great review.

[@violetprynne]

Thanks for watching!

[@classicsandchill]

Such a hard book to read, at first, but worth it in the long run.

[@amandarose2860]

This sounds insane, but I think this book has a spirit to it or something. This is a long story of my experience with it (I haven’t read it yet), but it’s so weird… It started in 2018. I have a friend who I only saw on occasion but I wanted to get a Christmas gift for. After some consideration, I remembered that he likes to read. I knew he liked Christopher Moore books, but I wasn’t sure what other genres he is in to. I went to the internet and looked up cursed or haunted books (idk why). Anyway, House of Leaves was on some list and sounded interesting, so I ordered it for him. Christmas came and we went to see a movie and I gave him his gift. He opened it and was like… “did we talk about this? I don’t remember us ever talking about this” I was like , “no, it was honestly kind of random and I wanted to get you a weird book.” He stood there quiet for a moment then said, “this was the only thing I asked my family for for Christmas this year. I literally received a copy this morning from my brother, but this version looks way nicer.” The more I thought about it, the stranger it seemed. Out of millions or billions of books in existence, I chose this one. I thought it was a neat synchronicity and went on with my life. A few months later, my friend got set up on a blind date. To make it less awkward he decided to make it a double date with me and my bf. He had never met this girl, but the person setting them up gave him her number and the night before the date they talked on the phone and really hit it off. After talking over an hour she got a phone call from a friend having a massive panic attack and needed to get off the phone suddenly. So my friend hung up. The next night we went on this double date and at dinner we told her about the strange synchronicity of the Christmas gift. She stopped and looked completely freaked out. The friend having the panic attack the night before had had their attack because they were reading that book. We were all speechless. Like what are the dang odds?! It just all seemed like way more than just coincidence. I want to read it, but I’m also feeling cautious about it.

[@violetprynne]

That's amazing!!! One of my best friends has a similar theory/experience with this book. Where it just kind of kept showing up in her life until she bought it. But I love it. I think it's a truly beautiful work of art. And at the end of the day, I've always thought of it as more of a love story than anything scary. I highly recommend it!

[@amandarose2860]

@@violetprynne I feel like it really wants me to read it, so I suppose I should. lol

[@janinebradbury648]

I’m getting this book tomorrow can’t wait great review 😊

[@Fatc0rnbread]

Thank you for the video. My copy of House of Leaves is currently in transit and I can't wait to dig in.

[@violetprynne]

I hope you love it!!!

[@jonathangasana]

Thanks Violet! I’m planning on reading this next month 😮

[@violetprynne]

I hope you love it! It's such a wild ride of a read.

[@sambradley1256]

I read this when it first came out. I’m about to start a reread. Not sure what will happen.

[@15hellokittylover]

Hi Violet!! I found your channel and I had to watch this video since I’m currently reading House of Leaves! What is the scariest book you’ve read? I picked up this book because I wanted a book to scare the hell out of me 😂 and make me have nightmares and this book was suggested. Now I’m debating if I should keep reading! I have a month off school and I do want to read something that terrifies me 😅 I loved your video and I’m diving into your other videos too! Thanks in advance if you have a suggestion!

[@violetprynne]

I didn't find House of Leaves scary, but I do think it's worth reading. However, the scariest book I have ever read is It by Stephen King. If you want something scary that isn't supernatural, Misery and Gerald's Game by Stephen King are also great. Very few books have ever actually scared me, but King has always been great at that.

[@glenfairen2996]

Totally off topic but the relationship you mentioned that ended…he is an asshat for ending things with a well read and smart individual. You. Are. Awesome.

[@violetprynne]

Awe thank you so much. :D That just made my day.

[@glenfairen2996]

@@violetprynne mah pleasure. :) Keep up there kick ass content.

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodUnclePete]

I just purchased this book, after searching for "Books to keep you up at night" I'm looking forward to diving into this book. Just found you channel tonight. New Subscriber, Thanks. You're video on this novel makes me want to read it even more.

[@violetprynne]

Thanks for watching! I hope you love House of Leaves!

[@Heathennation1976]

I've been reading 35 years I'm a lover of all things horror and fantasy I'll read pretty much anything though I've been wanting to read this book since it came out The Way It Was Written always kind of turn me off but this October I wanted to trying to go outside the box so I ordered this just checking out some reviews what people feel about it new subscriber here great review and video

[@leestanford2452]

This book was not even remotely as hard to read as everyone seems to like to make it out to be. I loved Johnny. We all have a little Johnny in us. Hopefully not literally lol. But the man is a poet.

[@McGinest]

I found House of Leaves deeply unsettling. But totally brilliant.

[@violetprynne]

It's such a unique read!

[@richardwilliams5387]

Just like the House the book changes based on what you bring into it.

[@tc8404]

I have tough time as it is getting into books, so I wonder if I could stay focused or interest enough to TRY this book. I wish I could find in a used book store but love seeing everyone’s reviews than you

[@violetprynne]

I found House of Leaves really engaging from the very start, but I know a bunch of people who didn't. It's very hit or miss.

[@tc8404]

@@violetprynne I know that I’m going to end up purchasing this book JUST BECAUSE I have to try or I will never know lol

[@cleverkrowbooks13]

Reminds me a bit of S. by Doug Dorst and J.J. Abrams. That book is a masterpiece as well. I'm excited to get this one and read it.

[@violetprynne]

I've heard really good things about that book but have yet to pick it up!

[@hcdodge4991]

@@violetprynne I enjoyed S. a lot. Feel like there's still more to it I missed that I'll have to return to sometime. There's a number of novels with unusual presentations. The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien, with its numerous footnotes. Rat Catching by Crispin Glover, with its spidery inkings-out of words of a older book to create a new narrative. Lord Byron's Novel: The Evening Land by John Crowley, with e-mail exchanges, an unpublished novel, and footnotes to it. Tree of Codes by Jonathan Safran Foer, with words literally cut out of each page leaving rectangular holes in the text of an older book. Reading Choose Your Own Adventure books as a kid might have opened me up to appreciating such unconventional things?

[@violetprynne]

@@hcdodge4991 Ohhhh these all sound like great recommendations! Thank you!

[@LordMarlle]

J.J. Totally ripped of HoL with S. Still gotta check it out I mean HoL kinda stole Pale Fire's narrator relationship

[@BlackacreDoe]

I’m finally getting close to finishing a bunch of books I ordered around Christmas, but I think I’m finally going to get this once I catch up. Not sure if you’re into Alkaline Trio at all, but their record Crimson was inspired by the novel. Matt Skiba was neighbors with the author and the band all read it. That’s super lame of your ex, I had a similar situation but over a shorter period of time. Definitely stings like you said, like uhhh is this not what you signed up for? I came exactly as advertised lol. Oh normies

[@violetprynne]

I had no idea about Alkaline Trio!!! That's awesome! Paul Tremblay's book Head Full of Ghosts is also heavily inspired by House of Leaves. It's just so freakin' good! I hope you get around to it and love it.

[@stevencarsley2446]

Hello a Lot of Boys don’t like Girl s having taoo I 🖤 Girl s with taoo Another good video ✨

[@momzilla2010]

I really like this book. such a fun bizarre and original book. shout out to the sound track to the book. Haunted by Poe

[@rabpunk]

great "review".. have had this for years but as other commentors have said am a bit daunted about starting it.

[@monstersnest8726]

Definitely one of my favorite books

[@drewflournoy2901]

What’s the best books you ever read ? // and what’s the best psych mental dark weird book you have ever read. Just curious I been struggling with drug addiction for like 10 years im back home and sober as I can be and I stumbled on your page.

[@jesshughes776]

CAN'T WAIT TO READ HOUSE OF LEAVES. IT'S ON THE WAY. CHECK OUT THE BELOW FOR THE COOLEST THING YOU'VE MOST LIKELY EVER READ.

[@JoanneRachel-m6j]

❤❤❤❤

[@rachelstrahan2486]

👍

[@kristinestaples7607]

I did like this book but thank you so much for saying and thinking its not scary. Even though I enjoyed it I was, and still am actually angry because people keep saying things like its the "scariest book ever written". Absolutely NO. I waited until the very last sentence for something scary and nothing ever came. If I'd gone into it not expecting a horror I would have liked it more. I actually do plan on rereading it one day. Great review!

[@violetprynne]

Thank you so much! And yea, I've never understood why it's classified as horror. Mystery/thriller maybe? But definitely not horror. lol

[@Galloway278]

Same here. It was a wild ride. But scary- not at ALL!

[@LordMarlle]

@@violetprynne It Is a kind of existential horror, but I'm pretty sure there is a clip of Mark somewhere saying something along the lines of all marketing being a lie

[@richardwilliams5387]

It's not so much scary as disturbing. Maybe more psychological horror?

[@davidis7]

Hi- I am new to your channel (and horror). Is this the scariest book you have ever read? If not, what is?

[@violetprynne]

The scariest book I have ever read is IT by Stephen King. It's also my favorite book :D

[@davidis7]

@@violetprynne - Thanks for the reply. I have never read it, but I will read it next after House of Leaves. Still trying to figure out if it’s worth it. Chasing references that often go nowhere is tiresome. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@UnsoberIdiot]

At this rate I'll need to make my own review of this book. So many takes that I think don't touch upon enough of the right stuff.

[@db7610]

Why is it called House of Leaves?

[@kat_in_wonderland]

The book title comes up during one of Zampano's little notes, where he writes: "Little solace comes to those who grieve, when thoughts keep drifting as walls keep shifting, and this great blue world of ours seems a House of Leaves moments before the wind." It has a lot to do, I think, with the book's emphasis on the impermanence of things, especially memories. Everything in the book can be damaged, including the people. Everything can be blown away in the wind like a House of Leaves.

[@richardwilliams5387]

I think Johnny fairly clearly has schizophrenia which Zampano's work exacerbated.

[@BooksForever]

I came for a few insights about the book I’m thinking about getting, and stayed for one of the most beautiful faces I’ve ever seen. And so smart, too. Wow… made my day.

[@violetprynne]

Thank you so much!

[@daanvanhoof9458]

I read it, and to be honest i found it a absolute slog to go through that, looking back was not worth the effort. I could not connect with any of the characters and the style is artsy for artsy sake.

[@cindywingetbooks]

I am so sorry that your ex strung you along for an entire year. He would have known who you were near the beginning of the relationship and should have broken things off MUCH sooner. It would have been kinder. Anyway, about the book, I am still pretty intimidated to read it...so we shall see. Maybe one day. I find it so fascinating how books can be brilliant or awful depending on what's going on in our real life.

[@violetprynne]

This book isn't actually hard to read the way some more post-modern novels are (like Infinite Jest), but it's just really time consuming. I've had a lot of friends who were intimidated by it, but once they started, just couldn't put it down. :D

[@dkp2112]

The first chapter scared her? There’s nothing scary at all in the first chapter.

[@kevindobson3701]

I didn't find it scary eithier

[@therappingconservative2438]

"You shouldn't" - 2 second video.

[@onthespiral4054]

You liked Johnny because he was your ex

[@violetprynne]

No. Not at all. I liked Johnny because for the first time a main character in a book that I was reading was working in the tattoo industry and the grittier sides of a big city. For the first time in a major pop culture read, I saw apartments being depicted as they actually are in large cities for the lower class--small with lacking utilities and high rents. As someone who worked in the tattoo industry for years and as someone who currently works in the service industry, I found it really cool to read about a main character with a similar background. And while his story takes a very vicious turn, I enjoyed reading about his situation because it was the realest thing in the entire novel.

[@xyangst]

No offense, but any reason you blink so much?🙂

[@violetprynne]

No offense taken! I blink so much for two reasons. I blink a lot when speaking without note cards to kind of gather my thoughts. It's just a public speaking tic that I have. But it gets made a lot worse because the light I use to film with is a set of like 15 insanely bright white light bulbs from a vanity mirror set up. I used to have a softer filter light set up, but this one just works way better and is a lot easier/convenient to set up in my studio room. It's also why I blink more at the beginning of my videos than towards the end. My eyes are adjusting better and therefore blink less as the filming goes on.